There’s a lot of new stuff coming to Walt Disney World over the next few years, including 2 new rides, a new Toy Story themed restaurant, and a new Disney Vacation Club tower at the Polynesian.
Plus, there are some beloved favorites that are also scheduled to make their returns in 2022, too.
Here’s what we know:
In this article
What is opening up at Walt Disney World in 2022 (and beyond)?
While most of the projects expected for 2022 have opened, 2023 is scheduled to see the completion and return of 2 highly anticipated projects: Tron: Lightcycle Run & the return of Happily Ever After.
Parking Lot Trams
(Confirmed for 2022)
Returning transportation
Location: Epcot and Hollywood Studios (Magic Kingdom trams returned in December 2021 and Animal Kingdom trams returned in May 2022)
Now, we know that it might seem kind of silly to list “parking lot trams” as something worthy of being noted, but if you’ve ever driven to the parks you’ll know that having these little pieces of convenience return is a big deal (especially at the end of a long park day!).
Aside from Disney announcing that the trams would return to Magic Kingdom in December 2021 and Animal Kingdom in May 2022, we don’t have an exact date for the other 2 parks – but we are positive people (including us!) will be overjoyed to see them when they do.
DuckTales Worldshowcase Adventure
(Confirmed for 2022)
New interactive game
Location: Epcot
Disney has several different free activities and games that families can play in the parks, and we love them as an excellent alternative to attractions.
Epcot’s version has seen several incarnations with both Kim Possible and most recently Agent P, but that last one is being replaced with a new DuckTales-themed adventure.
DuckTales World Showcase Adventure is confirmed to be debuting in 2022 as part of Epcot’s 40th anniversary celebration. According to Disney, the new adventure game will be “the perfect way for the young and young-at-heart to play their way around World Showcase – because life is better when we explore the world around us together!”
Fantasmic!
(Confirmed for 2022)
Returning entertainment
Location: Hollywood Studios
Disney has confirmed that Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios would be returning sometime in 2022.
We don’t have many details (or an exact date) but we do know that it will include a new sequence featuring characters that have never been part of the show before.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land
(Confirmed for 2022)
New restaurant
Location: Hollywood Studios
Located in Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios, Roundup Rodeo BBQ will be a full-service restaurant offering guests the opportunity to be immersed in Andy’s world, one where he’s taped together cardboard boxes to create a rodeo arena using a “kaleidoscope of toys, games, and playsets.”
Construction on this project was well underway before the shutdown and Disney (finally) confirmed in early January that it would, in fact, be opening sometime in 2022.
Tron Lightcycle Power Run
(Opening Spring 2023)
New attraction
Location: Magic Kingdom
Inspired by a similar attraction at Shanghai Disneyland, Tron Lightcycle Power Run is a brand new coaster-style attraction coming to Magic Kingdom.
Originally slated to be a part of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, we now know it will be Spring 2023 before seeing the opening of this new attraction.
This amazing new coaster will put guests aboard a two-wheeled “lightning cycle” before sending them off on a thrilling adventure on the digital frontier.
Testing for this attraction is now underway, and with views of the site from both Tomorrowland Speedway and the Peoplemover, it is easy to be impressed by the scale and scope of this Tomorrowland addition.
Happily Ever After
(Returning 2023)
Returning nighttime show
Location: Magic Kingdom
Happily Ever After was a popular nighttime show at Magic Kingdom that ran from May 2017 to September 2021 and featured castle projections, an insanely popular theme song (“Happily Ever After”), fireworks, and Tinker Bell flying thru the sky.
The show ended and was replaced by Disney Enchantment as part of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Many guests were unhappy with this change and it seems like Disney listened. At D23 Expo in September 2022, it was announced that Happily Ever After would be returning in 2023 with the same popular music but with an “updated nighttime spectacular.”
World Celebration
(Opening 2023)
Location: Epcot
World Celebration is a new area of Epcot that is located near the park entrance in the area previously known as Future World.
There are many enhancements coming with the new World Celebration neighborhood and, as shared at D23 Expo in 2019 and confirmed at D23 Expo in event in September 2022, it looks like Dreamers Point is still set to come as part of it.
Within Dreamer’s Point, there will be a statue of Walt Disney celebrating the legacy of the “original dreamer.”
At the time of the original announcement, Disney also revealed the addition of a wishing tree in an enchanted forest and a story fountain celebrating the power and music of iconic Disney storytelling, but no word on those components have been released.
New Epcot Nighttime Show
(Opening late 2023)
New nighttime show
Location: Epcot
At D23 Expo in September 2022, Disney announced that Harmonious (which just debuted in October of 2021) would be replaced by a new nighttime spectacular in celebration of Disney’s 100th anniversary.
No word on what the new show will be like, but many speculate that the unsightly barges in the middle of World Showcase Lagoon will be going away.
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
(Opening late 2023)
New interactive experience
Location: Epcot
The new Journey of Water area (part of World Nature) will be opening up in late 2023. This new exploration trail will connect guests to the story of our planet’s water.
Figment Meet and Greet
(Opening late 2023)
New character experience
Location: Epcot
Announced at D23 in September 2022, fan favorite Figment from the Journey into Imagination attraction will be returning for a meet and greet at Epcot.
While Figment at one point did have a meet and greet in Epcot, it was temporary and has not happened in the parks in many, many years. No word yet on whether this meet and greet will be a permanent park fixture.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
(Opening 2024)
Reimagining of an existing project
Location: Magic Kingdom
On June 25, 2020 (which was during the shutdown), Disney announced that it would be reimagining their popular Splash Mountain attractions at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World into a Princess and the Frog-themed ride. Disney has since confirmed the name of the new attraction would be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Concept art for the new attraction debuted at D23 Expo in September 2022.
According to Disney, the attraction picks up after the end of the popular 2009 movie – meaning guests will get to see Princess Tiana in human form rather than as a frog:
“At the end of the film, Princess Tiana realizes her lifelong dream when she opens her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace. We pick up the story during Carnival season, when Tiana is hosting a party for the people of New Orleans. She discovers her celebration is missing a key ingredient and needs our help to find it. On Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, we’ll join Tiana and Louis on a trip to the bayou, where they meet all sorts of unexpected new friends who have a special role to play at the party.”
No word yet on when Splash Mountain will close down to start the renovation, but Disney has announced the new attraction will be opening in 2024.
New Disney Vacation Club Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
(Opening in 2024)
Resort expansion
Location: Disney’s Polynesian Resort
A new DVC Tower is planned for the Poly.
The DVC tower is “inspired by the early concepts for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort” and “the Imagineers of today are honoring the past while furthering the resort story with this innovative addition.”
The proposed plan would offer additional rooms, an infinity edge pool, new recreation offerings, and dining options.
Announced projects with no known dates
New “Play” pavilion
New interactive experience
Location: Epcot
Located in the former “Wonders of Life Pavilion,” this new attraction has been described as “an immersive and interactive experience where play fuels the fun.”
Disney says: “Built on the power of play, [the new pavilion] introduces an immersive and interactive ‘city’ where you can explore, create, and interact with some of your favorite Disney characters.”
This is one of the projects that we wouldn’t be surprised to see delayed.
Disney hasn’t said much on it since the reopening. And although construction appears to be moving along on the outside of the old Wonders of Life pavilion, it isn’t easy to know just how much of the original concept we’ll actually see come to fruition.
Read more about the updates happening at Epcot.
While there are some previously announced projects we are confident that Disney has put on hold or permanently shelved, there are others that we think are still planned, even if Disney hasn’t said much about them recently.
Wondrous China
New show
Location: Epcot
Announced at Destination D in November 2018, China will be getting an updated 360-degree film.
It was originally set to open in 2020. But, like many other projects, it was delayed.
We hope to see the new China film, called Wondrous China, premier in 2022, but we also wouldn’t be surprised to see the project pushed further out (or shelved all together).
D23 “Blue Sky” Ideas
New concepts
Location: Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom
As part of the D23 Expo in September 2022, Disney announced several “blue sky ideas” for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. While none of these are official projects and are only ideas, we thought we should include the details in case they become projects that Disney pursues in the future.
Magic Kingdom blue-sky ideas
- Encanto and Coco elements being added to Magic Kingdom, but still in early concepts
- “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” (5th gate?) will include a villain area – again, early concept phases
Animal Kingdom blue-sky ideas
- Transform DinoLand U.S.A. with elements from Zootopia, Moana, or maybe both
We are likely a year or more from hearing any more details on either of the projects. But, at least now we know that the possibility is there.
Recently announced projects that are on hold (or maybe not happening at all)
Mary Poppins area
New interactive experience
Location: Epcot
Announced at D23 in August 2019, Cherry Tree Lane was supposed to be joining the UK pavilion.
But then 2020 hit and Disney quietly removed any mention of this new attraction from the Epcot Experience (which is a new-ish attraction where guests can see the projects and plans for Epcot).
After being so excited about this fun addition, we were honestly quite sad to see the project shelved.
Disney hasn’t yet said if this is a temporary suspension or if we’ll see the project happening sometime in the future.
You can bet we’ll keep our fingers crossed for the latter.
Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge
New resort
Location: Magic Kingdom Resort area (between Ft. Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge)
Building on the popularity of Disney Vacation Club, a planned 16th resort was in the works for the area between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
For guests familiar with that area, that is the spot of the now-closed River Country Water Park.
In fact, Disney had permits filed, and the land was cleared. But since the shutdown, there has been zero activity on the site.
Disney is no stranger to abandoning resort construction. Fans familiar with the Pop Century saga know that the area where Art of Animation now sits was originally planned as the 2nd half of Pop Century known as the “Legendary Years.”
At the point that the Pop Century Legendary Years section was scratched, several buildings were already up. And until Disney began construction on Art of Animation, they sat there empty and abandoned (and slightly creepy looking).
“Reflections” was nowhere near that far along in the construction process before everything was halted. Still, just like we saw the abandoned Pop Century space re-imagined in better times, we hope to see this project take off again sometime in the future.
Spaceship Earth enhancements
Attraction overhaul
Location: Epcot
Before the big shutdown, Disney was planning a long refurbishment of the popular Spaceship Earth.
And while we do love the attraction now, we were really looking forward to seeing the enhancements, especially after Disney clarified that “Many of the moments you know and love will be updated in amazing ways, blended with brand-new scenes to tell a story about our human experience.”
That felt like the best of both worlds to us, and the concept art they released looked stunning:
But, like many other projects that were announced, this one too has been quietly shelved.
We do think that we will (eventually) see this attraction get a much-needed face-lift; it just likely won’t be for the next couple of years.
What new things opened at Disney World in 2022?
Hoop Dee Doo Review
(Reopened June 23, 2022)
Returning dinner show
Location: Fort Wilderness
After hearing that the beloved Spirit of Aloha luau would not be returning, fans of the popular dinner show Hoop Dee Doo were worried that it would see the same fate.
But, the rousing Wild West show has made a comeback and we can all rest a bit easier.
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond
(Opened June 13, 2022)
Re-imagined show
Location: Animal Kingdom
In September, Disney announced that “Finding Nemo: The Musical” at Animal Kingdom would be returning sometime in 2022, but in a reimagined way with new storylines and the return of songs from the original show, including “In the Big Blue World” and “Go with the Flow.”
Well, we learned that the updated show is called “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond” and is set in the timeline of the movie Finding Dory.
The audience finds themselves at the Marine Life Institute and they “catch up with the fish from Dr. P. Sherman’s office in Finding Nemo, who have made their way across the ocean to California.”
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
(Officially opened May 27, 2022)
New attraction
Location: Epcot
The new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind “storytelling coaster-style” attraction at Epcot is now open and is a huge fan favorite.
Featuring ride vehicles that rotate and direct your view towards the story unfolding around you, this new attraction is HUGE (Disney has said it is one of the world’s longest enclosed coasters) and has impressed guests since its opening in 2022.
New Epcot entrance
(Construction completed in 2022)
Location: Epcot
The new entrance to Epcot is now complete. Some notable changes are the removable of the Leave a Legacy monoliths (now located outside the front entrance of the park) and the addition of the fountain spires in front of Spaceship Earth.
In addition to those changes, over 1,800 points of light have been added to Spaceship Earth that are used in conjunction with projections for nightly light shows.
Connections Café and Eatery
(Officially opened April 27, 2022)
New restaurant
Location: Epcot
Epcot has new Starbucks and Quick Service locations!
Located next door to one another, these 2 individual dining locations offer guests a spot to grab either a full meal (on the Eatery side) or delicious Starbucks coffee (on the Café side).
Festival of Fantasy Parade
(Returned March 9, 2022)
Returning entertainment
Location: Magic Kingdom
Great news! The popular daytime Festival of Fantasy parade has returned!
You can typically catch it twice daily. Check the My Disney Experience app for exact times.
Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire
(Returned February 25, 2022)
Returning entertainment
Location: Magic Kingdom
A 50th anniversary edition of Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire has come to the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage at Magic Kingdom.
It’s called “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” and incorporates favorite scenes from the previous version of the show, plus a new opening and a new finale with Mickey Mouse and all his friends in their sparkling, EARidescent costumes.
There’s even an all-new, original song called “Where the Magic Feels Like Home.”
Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade
(Began February 11, 2022)
New entertainment
Location: Magic Kingdom
A brand-new cavalcade called “Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade” has debuted at Magic Kingdom.
The cavalcade features “the most characters of any cavalcade to date,” like Nick and Judy from Zootopia, Baloo and King Louie from The Jungle Book, José Carioca and Panchito from The Three Caballeros, Miguel from Coco, plus Merida, Moana, The Incredibles, and more!
Select tours
(Returned February 6, 2022)
Returning Enchanting Extra
Location: Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom
Although the parks have been reopened for quite awhile, tours (aside from private VIP Tours) have been mostly put on hold.
But, some fan favorite tours made their return in early February 2022.
While not all tours are returning, the following did:
- Keys to the Kingdom (Magic Kingdom)
- Caring for Giants (Animal Kingdom)
- Wild Africa Trek (Animal Kingdom)
- Up Close with Rhinos (Animal Kingdom)
- Savor the Savanna (Animal Kingdom)
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser resort
(Opened March 1, 2022)
New resort
Location: near Hollywood Studios
Disney’s new boutique Star Wars-themed hotel has officially opened.
Billed as a “living adventure” and totally unlike anything else on Disney property, this new resort (which is less of a resort and more of an experience) is 100% immersive and connects guests to the Star Wars universe in never before seen ways.
Stays at the Galactic Starcruiser resort last 2 days and include plenty of opportunities to interact and participate with stories and characters on their adventure.
Check out our Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser page to learn everything we knew about this new resort, including information on pricing and the configuration of passenger cabins and suites.
What new things opened at Disney World in 2021?
Drawn to Life – new Cirque du Soleil show
(Opened November 18, 2021)
New show
Location: Disney Springs
The brand new Cirque du Soleil show named “Drawn to Life” in Disney Springs debuted on November 18, 2021. Tickets are now on sale.
The show (which was just days away from opening before the closure) is a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Walt Disney Animation Studios.
According to Disney, the show will “celebrate the art of animation through the magic of storytelling in a way that only Cirque du Soleil can deliver while paying homage to the craftsmanship that makes Disney animation special and unique.”
From the description, the show sounds absolutely charming and is sure to be a hit with both Disney and Cirque fans:
“This new show follows the story of Julie, a courageous and determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her late father: an unfinished animation piece. Guided by a surprising pencil, she embarks on an inspiring quest sprinkled with her Disney childhood memories. Through this journey, she learns to imagine new possibilities and animate the story of her future.”
Check out the videos below for some behind-the-scenes looks at the new show.
Genie, Genie+, Lightning Lanes
(Began October 18, 2021)
New line management system
Location: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom
Goodbye FastPass, hello Disney Genie!
Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Disney Lightning Lanes are all part of the new line management system that has replaced FastPass+.
And, unlike the old system, this one actually costs money, so it is more important than ever to spend some time figuring out exactly how it works.
Be sure to read all of our guides on Disney Genie, Genie+, and individual Lightning Lane attraction selections.
- How to Use Disney Genie at Walt Disney World
- How to Use Disney Genie+ at Walt Disney World
- How to Book Lightning Lane Selections at Walt Disney World
- The Most Frequently Asked Disney Genie+ Questions — Answered
- Best Genie+ Choices at Walt Disney World (book these first!)
- Touring plan strategies for Disney World (with and without Genie+)
- First Thoughts on Disney Genie & Genie+
- How Genie, Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Selections Differ
- A Genie+ Timeline of What to Book When for Walt Disney World
- Comparing Genie+ at Walt Disney World and Disneyland
- Complete Guide to Genie+ at Disneyland (including timeline and WDW comparison chart)
- Lightning Lane passes at Disney World (price & more)
The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
(Opened November 3, 2021)
New resort
Location: Boardwalk area
A new resort has come to the Swan and Dolphin-area.
Originally named “The Cove,” this new resort, now called “The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve,” will be more group-oriented and convention-focused. It will include several venues for renting, including a rooftop area perfect for weddings and other V.I.P. events.
Marriot (who owns the Swan and Dolphin and this new resort) had previously set a July 2021 opening date for this new resort; however, the opening was postponed until later in 2021.
Space 220 (Opened September 20, 2021)
New restaurant
Location: Epcot
Located between Mission: Space and Test Track, this new space-themed restaurant uses special technology to give guests views of “space” from their table.
We love the concept. The idea that you’re looking down from 220 miles up (hence the name, “Space 220″) really fits that area of the park, and from the descriptions, we think both kids and adults will love the aesthetics.
We originally expected this restaurant to open up in the Winter of 2019/2020. However, even before the pandemic, it was plagued by several delays.
We finally got to see it open its doors in September 2021.
Check out our Space 220 review for more pics and information.
Disney Enchantment (Opened October 1, 2021)
New nighttime show
Location: Magic Kingdom
With the big 50th Anniversary Celebration, Disney unveiled a brand-new nighttime show at Magic Kingdom.
As described by Disney, the evening event “will take you on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment.”
Disney Enchantment also includes music, enhanced lighting, fireworks, and for the first time projections extending from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A.
And yes, Tink does still fly.
Disney KiteTails (Opened October 1, 2021)
New daytime show
Location: Animal Kingdom
Note: This closed at the end of September 2022.
Animal Kingdom got in on the big 50th Anniversary action, too.
This new show, called “Disney KiteTails,” incorporates performers flying windcatchers and 3D kites – with some stretching to 30 feet long! They depict beloved characters, like Simba, Zazu, Baloo, and King Louie
Harmonious (Opened October 1, 2021)
New nighttime show
Location: Epcot
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth ended in 2019. And for a short period of time before the shutdown, a temporary show called Epcot Forever was presented in its place.
But for the 50th, Disney debuted a brand-new show called Harmonious.
Not only does it include fireworks, but the production also uses large barges that double as both screens for nighttime and fountains during the daytime hours.
Probably the best part of this new show is the music. Filled with Disney favorites performed in a rainbow of languages, the score for this show should appeal to fans young and old.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (opened October 1, 2021)
New attraction
Location: Epcot
The France pavilion got a new Ratatouille-themed attraction named “Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.”
Like the version at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris, this 4-D attraction uses an innovative “trackless” ride system.
La Crêperie De Paris (opened October 1, 2021)
New restaurant
Location: Epcot
Now open near the new “Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure” is an authentic crêperie featuring cuisine from chef Jérôme Bocuse who is already behind Chefs de France and Monsieur Paul in the Epcot France pavilion.
The new restaurant features savory and sweet crepes and has both a quick-service and table service dining option.
Cinderella Castle Makeover
Enhancement
Location: Magic Kingdom
Begun just before the big shutdown, Cinderella Castle has now been transformed from the blue/grey paint scheme:
Into a majestic pink masterpiece:
We admit, in the beginning, we were a little bit hesitant about the change.
But after seeing it in person, we love the new look, and it seems perfect for the big 50th Anniversary Celebration.
What new things opened in 2020?
Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along (Opened January 17, 2020)
New attraction
Location: Epcot
Capitalizing on the success of the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration in Epcot, this new Beauty and the Beast-themed sing-along is housed in the same theater where Impressions de France is shown.
But don’t worry – you can still catch Impressions de France; you’ll just need to check your My Disney Experience app for showtimes.
This new show was created by the same person (Don Hahn) that produced both the animated and live-action versions of Beauty and the Beast.
Truth be told, we don’t love it. Without the live actors (like you see for the Frozen Sing-Along), it falls flat.
It is a nice place to rest your feet, but we wouldn’t really suggest making it a priority unless you just really, really love Beauty and the Beast.
Awesome Planet (January 17, 2020)
New show
Location: Epcot
The Land pavilion at Epcot got a new film with an environmental message called “Awesome Planet.”
According to Disney, the film features “spectacular nature photography, immersive in-theater effects, and space sequences created by none other than Industrial Light & Magic (which provided the cinematic foundation for the Star Wars franchise).”
The film itself is beautiful and is a nice time-filler.
Canada Far and Wide (Opened January 17, 2020)
New show
Location: Epcot
Announced at Destination D in November 2018, Canada received an updated 360-degree film in early 2020.
Called “Canada Far and Wide,” it is packed with gorgeous Canadian views while being narrated by Canadian treasures Eugene Levy and Catherine O Hara.
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (Opened February 19, 2020)
New restaurant
Location: Epcot
A new quick-service restaurant called “Regal Eagle Smokehouse” has taken the place of Liberty Inn in the American Adventure pavilion.
According to Disney, the “new location is a modern barbecue smokehouse, with all the accompanying sights, sounds, smells, and flavors you love – including a large smoker preparing fine food every day right on the pavilion’s promenade. There is also a redesigned patio for you to enjoy, so get ready to grab a brew, some barbecue, and relax inside Epcot.”
Read more on the Disney Parks Blog.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Opened March 4, 2020)
New attraction
Location: Hollywood Studios
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway opened up in Spring 2020 as part of Hollywood Studios’ 30th Anniversary. This new attraction is inside the Chinese Theater and replaced The Great Movie Ride, which closed in 2017.
Featuring new technology Disney calls “2 ½ D”, guests are put inside the zany world of a Mickey Mouse cartoon in the first-ever ride-through attraction themed entirely around Mickey Mouse.
There is no minimum height requirement for this attraction, which means the whole family can enjoy it!
Read more about it in our Spoiler-Free Guide to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Mickey Shorts Theater (Opened March 4, 2020)
New attraction
Location: Hollywood Studios
Taking the place of the now-closed Star Wars: Path of the Jedi theater, this new Mickey Shorts Theater opened in Hollywood Studios in March 2020.
The theater features a short film styled after the animated series “Mickey Mouse” on the Disney Channel. Not only is it cute, but it also gives guests a great place to cool off on a hot day.
